Alabama Amendment 1 appears headed to approval

MONTGOMERY -- Amendment 1, a plan to rewrite the state constitution to expand a rainy day account for public schools and create one for state agencies, appeared headed for approval Tuesday.

With 94 percent of precincts reporting, there were 927,748 votes, 57 percent, for the amendment and 708,647 votes, 43 percent, against it.

If its approval holds up, Gov. Bob Riley could withdraw money from the new and expanded rainy day accounts to prevent or limit proration -- cuts in budgeted spending caused by lower-than-expected revenues.

Withdrawn money would come from the Alabama Trust Fund, a giant state investment pool worth about $3 billion. Riley and state schools Superintendent Joe Morton urged voters to approve the amendment.

"I am gratified that the people of Alabama have the confidence in the political leadership of the state to follow the leadership of the governor in establishing this fund," said state Finance Director Jim Main. "This will make the economic difficulties much less for Alabama than maybe other states."

Leaders of the Alabama Farmers Federation opposed Amendment 1. "Clearly, the majority of Alabamians have determined it's OK for the state to borrow money from the trust fund rather than live within its means," said federation spokesman Dave Rickey. "The vote will allow the state to continue to operate as if we're not in an economic downturn."

Five amendments voted on statewide were written to affect people in just one county. They included:

Amendment 2
Amendment 2, with 94 percent of precincts counted, was passing, with 662,491 votes, or 60 percent, for, and 436,479 votes, or 40 percent, against. It would create a five-member Shelby County Judicial Commission, which would nominate three people to fill any vacancy occurring after Jan. 1 for circuit judge or district judge in the county. The governor would appoint one of those nominees.

Amendment 4
Amendment 4, with 94 percent of precincts counted, was passing, with 610,677 votes, or 57 percent, for and 463,260 votes, or 43 percent, against. It would prohibit any city outside of Blount County from annexing any part of that county without the approval of Blount County voters, with some exceptions.

One-county items
Another 29 proposed amendments were on the ballot in just one county each. Among them:

In Jefferson County, with 100 percent of precincts counted, an amendment that would make sewer service received in the name of a tenant the "sole responsibility" of the tenant, not the landowner, passed, with 158,661 votes, or 63 percent, for and 93,090 votes, or 37 percent, against.

In Shelby County, with 99 percent of precincts counted, an amendment that would let legislators pass a law to let the county commission appoint members of the county board of equalization appeared to pass, with 43,450 votes, or 62 percent, for and 26,688 votes, or 38 percent, against.

In Blount County, complete but unofficial returns showed an amendment that would let the county commission raise fees for a motor vehicle tag by as much as $15 was defeated. There were 18,476 votes, or 84 percent, against, and 3,617 votes, or 16 percent, for it.

In St. Clair County, with 86 percent of precincts counted, an amendment that would ban county officials from becoming supernumerary officials appeared to pass, with 12,124 votes, or 55 percent, for and 10,059 votes, or 45 percent, against.